Johannesburg – The Department of Basic Education (DBE) said it would remain vigilant and continue to monitor that schools comply with Covid-19 protocols, especially those identified in provinces considered hotspots.
Most grades are expected back at school on Monday after closing for a second time at the end of July, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The department has said support is needed for those schools that felt anxious after not reporting to school since March.
It said it was ready to receive more grades back into the classroom after a four-week precautionary break.
However, some provinces were gradually stabilising schools before the influx, with the KwaZulu –Natal Education Department reporting that only 6,000 schools were ready to reopen.
Meanwhile, Gauteng, which is the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic, was expecting over 1.5 million pupils to return to the classroom on Monday.
The departments Elijah Mhlanga said: “We have a lot more to comply with”.
Mhlanga said the department would face new challenges as it welcomed pre-schoolers and over 2,000 government-funded early childhood development centres under lockdown level 2.
The department is aiming to conclude the academic year on 15 December.
